Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 15. TAXATION

CHAPTER 70. GASOLINE AND VEHICLE FUELS TAXES

Part 7. Alternative Fuel Tax

Bonding, Release Of Surety, And Additional Bond

15-70-704. Bonding, release of surety, and additional bond. (1) Except as provided in this section, an alternative fuel dealer's license may not be issued to a person and may not be continued in force unless the person has furnished a bond, in a form prescribed by the department, to secure the dealer's compliance with this part and has paid all taxes, interest, and penalties due under this part. The department shall waive the bond requirement of an alternative fuel dealer who is not subject to the provisions of subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b).

(2) The total amount of the bond or bonds required must be equivalent to twice the alternative fuel dealer's estimated quarterly tax payments but may not be less than $1,000 for any alternative fuel dealer who:

(a) requests an alternative fuel dealer's license to be reissued after the license was canceled for cause; or

(b) fails to file timely reports and pay the tax due as required by 15-70-714.

(3) A surety on a bond furnished as provided in this section must be released and discharged from any liability to the state accruing on the bond after 30 days from the date when the surety has provided to the department a written request to be released and discharged. However, this provision may not operate to relieve, release, or discharge the surety from any liability already accrued or that accrues before the expiration of the 30-day period. On receiving a release request, the department shall promptly notify the alternative fuel dealer who furnished the bond, and unless the dealer, on or before the expiration of the 30-day period, files a new bond in accordance with the requirements of this section or makes a deposit in lieu of a bond as described in 15-70-701(3)(b), the department shall cancel the dealer's license.

(4) The department may require an alternative fuel dealer to give a new or additional surety bond or to deposit additional securities pursuant to 15-70-701(3)(b) if the department determines that the security of the surety bond previously filed by the dealer or the market value of the property deposited as security by the dealer is impaired or inadequate. If the alternative fuel dealer fails to give an additional surety bond or to deposit additional securities within 30 days after being requested to do so by the department, the department shall cancel the dealer's license.

History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 405, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 125, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 38, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 399, L. 2023.